SUE JACKSON Therapist/Writer/Photographer/Activist

Last year, as the unofficial blogger/photographer to the anti-East-West Link campaign, our battles were my blog's entire focus. But by Christmas, with the electoral win for people power and the dumping of the dud Tunnel, I was suddenly at a loss.
What to write about now? Not sure yet. But there will be ongoing musings and images from this Australian life. So please leave a message. (No need to sign into an account. Simply comment as ‘anonymous’; then leave your name within the comment itself.)

Thursday, April 05, 2018

Stop Adani! - Blockade AECOM

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AECOM, which stands for 'architecture, engineering, construction, operations and management' is a mega American-based company. It is also an ally of Adani. One of its major current projects is designing a 389-kilometre rail line to Adani's Carmichael coal mine. In February protests were staged against the company outside its Brisbane offices. And on the very same day activists attended the company's annual general meeting in Los Angeles to demand it cease work with Adani. Today was Melbourne's turn.

As it was school holidays we were graced by the presence of a group of junior activists keen to express their opposition to Adani via the age-old method of chalk on pavement.

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It felt great to take concrete (!) action, organised by Galilee Blockade
Melbourne Crew, Stop Adani Melbourne and Front Line Action on Coal,
against a company which is so integral to Adani's nefarious plans.

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I was heartened to learn some good tidings from one of the leaders of the Galilee Blockade, Bronwyn Plarre:

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Bronwyn explained that there is a precedent for a Melbourne-based
company, in cahoots with Adani, backing down in the face of persistent people power. The Downer Group, located in the CBD, had entered into a contract to provide a range
of products for the mine. One of those products was asphalt, whose
trucks Galilee Blockade members regularly stopped at their
Victorian plants. The company has now pulled out of the Adani contract, to the
delight of the blockaders.

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With opposition to Adani mounting and especially when Australia's big four banks bowed to pressure and refused it loans, opponents of the killer mine were naturally exultant. But that was before we realised that while the Adani company might be finding it hard to raise finance, Mr Adani himself has now built such a huge personal fortune that he could easily finance the mine himself - if he so desires. So that is why the next logical step was to challenge companies like AECOM and Downer Group whose activities support his ambitions.

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Queensland can feel so far away. And the tyranny of distance sometimes makes it hard
to believe that Victorians can have any impact on the crucial
fight being waged up north.

So it was great to hear that at least two of the key infrastructure companies supporting Adani have offices right in the middle of Melbourne. It couldn't be more convenient really. AECOM is just a short tram and train ride away from the Green Heartland. So watch out AECOM. Like Downer Group before you, you are on notice. #BlockadeAdani